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EU OBSERVER: EU DIPLOMATS IN YEREVAN HELD CRISIS MEETINGS
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/09/04/eu-observer-eu-diplomats-in-yerevan-held-crisis-meetings/
14:41 04.09.2013
Armenia, Customs Union, EU
The announcement about Armenia's decision to join the Customs Union
came as a surprise to EU officials, the EU Observer writes.
The EU has concluded negotiations on a political association and free
trade pact with Armenia and expected to initial it at an EU summit
with former Soviet states in Vilnius in November.
If Armenia does become a full member of the Russian-led customs bloc,
along with Belarus and Kazakhstan, it cannot sign the EU pact at the
same time.
EU diplomats in Yerevan held crisis meetings on Tuesday evening to
get an insight into events.
A European Commission spokesman told the EU Observer: "We are
consulting closely with our Armenian partners. When we have all the
information, we will, of course, examine all the potential implications
of what was announced today."
The website notes that "Sargsyan's u-turn was made in the context
of tricky developments on Nagorno-Karabakh" and reminds that Russia
is Armenia's main security guarantor in its frozen conflict with
Azerbaijan.
But in June this year Russia began delivery of some $1 billion of
tanks, artillery and rocket launchers to Azerbaijan.
"Russia in recent weeks has also threatened Moldova and Ukraine, two
other former Soviet states which are seeking deeper ties with the EU,
the EU Observer writes," the article reads.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/09/04/eu-observer-eu-diplomats-in-yerevan-held-crisis-meetings/
14:41 04.09.2013
Armenia, Customs Union, EU
The announcement about Armenia's decision to join the Customs Union
came as a surprise to EU officials, the EU Observer writes.
The EU has concluded negotiations on a political association and free
trade pact with Armenia and expected to initial it at an EU summit
with former Soviet states in Vilnius in November.
If Armenia does become a full member of the Russian-led customs bloc,
along with Belarus and Kazakhstan, it cannot sign the EU pact at the
same time.
EU diplomats in Yerevan held crisis meetings on Tuesday evening to
get an insight into events.
A European Commission spokesman told the EU Observer: "We are
consulting closely with our Armenian partners. When we have all the
information, we will, of course, examine all the potential implications
of what was announced today."
The website notes that "Sargsyan's u-turn was made in the context
of tricky developments on Nagorno-Karabakh" and reminds that Russia
is Armenia's main security guarantor in its frozen conflict with
Azerbaijan.
But in June this year Russia began delivery of some $1 billion of
tanks, artillery and rocket launchers to Azerbaijan.
"Russia in recent weeks has also threatened Moldova and Ukraine, two
other former Soviet states which are seeking deeper ties with the EU,
the EU Observer writes," the article reads.